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Norfolk council approves multiple ordinances, grants and leases; several land-use items continued to Dec. 9
Summary
The Norfolk City Council approved a block of ordinances and appropriations — including lease agreements, grant awards and opioid settlement allocations — and voted to continue several conditional-use permits to its Dec. 9 meeting for further community engagement and staff review.
Norfolk City Council on Nov. 18 adopted a slate of ordinances and fiscal actions and set continuances for multiple land-use items to Dec. 9. The council approved leases with Novocfest Events Limited for properties on West Main and Granby Street, a first amendment to a lease with Salon Soleil LLC and several grant appropriations and budget amendments.
The council moved to continue consideration of a U.S. Navy bid for long-term soil and groundwater monitoring access at 8021 Hampton Boulevard until its Dec. 9 meeting so city staff can review the single bid and return a recommendation. Councilmember McGee seconded the motion to continue, which was approved by roll call.
Votes at a glance: the council recorded ayes for a resolution supporting proposed Norfolk City Charter amendments (sections 2, 60, 63, 64 and 114) that would add a new subsection on zoning conformity and exempt assistant chief of police positions from the classified service; an ordinance to require conditional-use review for self-storage uses in zoning tables; ordinances approving leases with Novocfest Events for premises at 120 West Main Street and 123 Granby Street; and a first amendment to the Salon Soleil lease at 236 East Main Street. Council also approved appropriating up to $106,168 in workforce grant funds for the Norfolk Community Services Board, a $107,856 Cox Communications public-education-and-government grant to purchase communications equipment, and a $175,000 subrecipient agreement for the Saint Paul’s Blue Greenway project.
On property and infrastructure items, the council authorized right-of-entry agreements related to the planned demolition of Smith Rogers Hall, accepted a drainage-easement conveyance from the ODU Real Estate Foundation, and authorized the acquisition of 1308 Factory Street for $25,000 with up to $30,000 total available for purchase and transaction costs. The council also reappropriated $2,644,886.13 in opioid-settlement funds to specified projects and designated $26,478 toward Norfolk’s share of Region 2 recovery school operating costs for FY2026.
Several conditional-use permits prompted requests for more community engagement. The restaurant permit for 201 East Berkeley Ave. (America’s Best Wings and Hero and Pizza) and two car-wash permits (7900 Chesapeake Blvd. and 2750 North Military Hwy.) were continued to Dec. 9 after council members raised concerns about prior 24-hour operation, landscaping and upkeep. A conditional-use permit for a banquet hall at 3411 Sewell’s Point Road (Michael Heard) was approved by council despite a 6–1 planning commission recommendation of denial; councilmembers spoke about partnership with the civic league in reaching that decision.
The council also adopted a resolution appointing or reappointing 21 individuals to multiple boards and commissions. The meeting concluded with public comment on a range of neighborhood issues and requests for staff follow-up.
The council will reconvene Dec. 9 to consider the continued items and to receive staff recommendations on the U.S. Navy bid.
